NFL power rankings: Packers the top team entering Week 1

Matt Vensel

In early August, when I released my monthly power rankings at the start of the preseason, some of you said it was too early to gauge how the NFL's 32 teams stack up against each other. Too early for power rankings? Psssh. A little premature speculation has never hurt anyone. After all, it's just that -- speculation and nothing tangible.

The real deal starts Thursday night when the Packers and the Saints play in the NFL’s season-kickoff showcase. And on Sunday, the Ravens and Steelers will smash their faces together in the latest installment of the NFL’s hardest-hitting rivalry. But for now, let’s have some fun and do some power-ranking heading into Week 1.

It’s your prerogative if you want to take them seriously. And, as always, feel free to give me your take, too.

1. Packers (preseason ranking -- 2): They would be hyped up more if they weren’t trying to repeat as Super Bowl champions. How does that make any sense? (By the way, it’s not an impossible task.)